Welcome to the Computer Hardware section of our blog, the go-to resource for enthusiasts, professionals, and everyone in between who wants to get the most out of their computing experience. Whether you’re looking to upgrade a specific component or planning to build a PC from scratch, this category delves into the essential hardware elements that define the performance and functionality of your computer.
CPUs (Central Processing Units)
Relevant Brands: Intel, AMD
The CPU is the brain of your computer, where most calculations take place. From Intel’s Core series to AMD’s Ryzen line-up, we examine the specifications, performance benchmarks, and power efficiency to help you choose the right processor for your needs.
GPUs (Graphics Processing Units)
Relevant Brands: NVIDIA, AMD
Whether you’re gaming, rendering video, or running complex simulations, a powerful GPU is essential. NVIDIA’s GeForce series and AMD’s Radeon cards are the primary contenders, each with their unique features and capabilities.
Power Supplies
Relevant Brands: Corsair, EVGA, Seasonic
A robust and efficient power supply is the backbone of any stable system. We discuss the importance of wattage, efficiency ratings, and brand reliability, focusing on leading manufacturers like Corsair, EVGA, and Seasonic.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Relevant Brands: Kingston, Corsair, G.Skill
RAM is where your computer stores data for quick read and write access. We look into speed, capacity, and compatibility, highlighting top brands such as Kingston, Corsair, and G.Skill that offer a range of options to suit various needs.
PC Cases
Relevant Brands: NZXT, Cooler Master, Fractal Design
The PC case is not just an aesthetic choice; it impacts cooling, upgradeability, and system layout. Brands like NZXT and Cooler Master offer various designs and form factors, from minimalist to RGB-heavy, that cater to different tastes and requirements.
Motherboards
Relevant Brands: ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte
The motherboard is the central hub connecting all your components. We delve into form factors, chipsets, and expandability, focusing on reputable brands like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte.
Storage: NVMe, SSD, Hard Drives
Relevant Brands: Samsung, Western Digital, Seagate, Crucial
Your storage solution influences not only how much data you can keep but also how fast you can access it. We cover the speed advantages of NVMe drives, the reliability of SSDs, and the capacity benefits of traditional hard drives, examining offerings from brands like Samsung, Western Digital, and Seagate.
As we venture deeper into this digital age, understanding the hardware that powers your computing experience has never been more critical. This category aims to provide you with the essential information, objective comparisons, and expert insights needed to make well-informed decisions on your computer hardware. So go ahead, explore, and build the machine of your dreams!
After coming away pleasantly surprised with the Thermaltake View 22 TG case, Thermaltake was kind enough to send me the View 32 TG RGB Edition. As the name would suggest this is a notch up in terms of specification and this model is full RGB too. This model is £127.99 on Amazon putting it somewhere…
I was recently invited to London to attend an event with Qualcomm about the new range of laptops that use their Snapdragon 835 Mobile PC Platform running Windows 10. Windows 10 on Arm is one of the more exciting developments in the laptop industry right now as it aims to alleviate many of the issues…
I don’t get the opportunity to review much desktop PC related stuff, so I was excited when Thermaltake asked me to review one of their latest cases. The Thermaltake View 22 Tempered Glass is a mid-tower full ATX case which features streamlined front panel structure, one durable 4mm thick left tempered glass window, one preinstalled…
I have previously reviewed the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, and you would think the two XPS laptops are the same apart from the convertible nature. However, there is a reasonably significant difference with the processor. The 2-in-1 version uses the ultra-low voltage chips while the standard model uses the more powerful U-class of mobile chips…
As someone that works from home and has dozens of devices connected to the network, I have found myself getting frustrated with consumer networking equipment. I long ditched WiFi in favour of Ethernet for any machine that stays in one spot such as all my media streamers, and PCs. I initially used multiple Netgear GS108Ev3…
The HP Envy 13 is a rare breed of laptop that combines a small form build with a dedicated graphics card in the form of the MX150 while still being quite affordable. The model I have been sent is a 2017 model laptop, as the current generation is not available yet and the specification includes:…
It has been a while since I have reviewed an ultra-budget laptop, but they are popular on Amazon, and for good reasons, because they are so cheap. iOTA is one of the many brands offering such a device, they don’t have the brand recognition as Dell or Acer, but the laptop they sent me is…
Qualcomm is on a bit of a roll as of late, announcing chips for multiple purposes other than a Smartphones, they have announced a new wearable SoC as well as new chips specifically for VR headsets. They are now going all in with Windows 10 on Arm, moving away from focussing on just smartphone chips. The…
Nvidia and their OEM partners ASUS and Acer announced a new range of monitors / TVs at CES this year. The Big Format Gaming (BFG) Displays have an impressive specification with an enormous 65-inch screen a resolution of 4K, HDR support and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, G-Sync and an Integrated Nvidia Shield Android TV. At…
The Toshiba TransMemory U365 is the latest high capacity USB drive from Toshiba with capacities ranging from 32GB up to 256GB that uses USB 3.0 with a claimed max speed read of 150MB/s The drive uses 3D Flash memory BiCS FLASH which allows them to achieve larger storage capacities. It comes in a plastic housing…
I regularly review Aukey products and find them to be one of the best peripheral and accessory sellers on Amazon. They have recently sent me two new products to review, an ergonomic wireless mouse and an extra-large mouse matt. Mouse Matt As dull as it sounds this is the best item out of the two….
**Update 27/04/2018 – after using the switch for a few weeks now, I have updated the review in regards of its reliability. I have had no issues with it since set up, but I do find the app a bit slow to load and recognise my devices** During my trip to MWC in Barcelona this…